Sunday, January 27th 2019

ChromeOS-competitor Windows Lite to Feature a Reimagined UI, Chucks "Metro" Live Tiles

Windows Lite is a new upcoming PC operating system by Microsoft designed as a competitor to Google's ChromeOS, and being designed for machines with extremely slim hardware specifications. The OS could also target devices that work as "edge computers," with much of their processing being performed over the cloud. ChromeOS beats the bloated Windows 10 in one key department - a lightweight and uncluttered user-interface. This is the area where much of Microsoft's design efforts lie - UI elements and graphics that are lightweight not just on memory, but also Internet bandwidth, if the device is streaming a remote session (a la Citrix). Below is a concept by UX designer Jay Machalani.

The Windows Lite desktop looks familiar, with a taskbar and app buttons, and a Start menu, but one that's been redesigned without live tiles, but a simple list of icons. At this point it's unclear just how far Microsoft intends to go with the lightweight OS concept without cannibalizing sales of Windows 10 Home. The OS definitely features UWP, and from the looks of the screenshot doing rounds, also appears to support legacy Win32 apps, however, Microsoft has in the past restricted functionality of its cheapest OS products so as to not kill pricier Windows versions. Microsoft is innovating two brand new Windows user-interfaces for launches through 2019-2020, codenamed "Polaris" and "Andromeda."
Sources: MSPowerUser, Jay Machalani
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30 Comments on ChromeOS-competitor Windows Lite to Feature a Reimagined UI, Chucks "Metro" Live Tiles

#26
SL2
oxidizedI don't follow, i said i like to have my desktop clean, i only have "this pc" and "user's files" icons on the desktop, when i need to open a program i just open start and click, very simple.
My bad, I just looked at the taskbar in your pic, I read too fast.
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#27
Prince Valiant
MatsWhy is it so important that the taskbar stays pretty much like it was it is after a clean install? I've never understood why this is so common among Windows users.

I only use the start menu for searching, and it's been my habit since Windows 7, you know, when MS got their shit together and realized that you could use the same button in the taskbar for both starting and switching to a program.
Quick launch was a silly idea.
Having things pinned to the taskbar or quicklaunch is redundant with desktop shortcuts. Some prefer the desktop clean and some prefer the taskbar clean.
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#28
SL2
Prince ValiantHaving things pinned to the taskbar or quicklaunch is redundant with desktop shortcuts.
Of course, but only the taskbar needs only one click at any time. The desktop shortcuts will end up behind programs sooner or later. (I don't count the quick launch anymore.)
Prince ValiantSome prefer the desktop clean and some prefer the taskbar clean.
Sure, it's a matter of taste. Trying to keep the taskbar empty is a bit like trying to keep the RAM unused if you're asking me.

I wonder if it has anything to do with how a clean install looks like. Windows users wants it to be (almost) empty because that's how it is when it's new,
while macOS users accepts a utilized dock because it's not empty after a reinstall (It could also be the lack of alternatives).

The taskbar is superior IMO, long live Windows 7! :D
Posted on Reply
#29
remixedcat
Start8 + Windowblinds on server 2012.
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